News Blog

Arcata Cop In Parking Space Fracas Exits Force

Arcata Police Officer Kevin Stonebarger is no longer employed with the Arcata Police Department. As readers might recall, Stonebarger was involved in a verbal rumpus over a parking space in February 2012, outside Pho Tien Long restaurant in Eureka, where he and other members of the drug task force were having lunch.

APD Chief Tom Chapman would not say whether Stonebarger was terminated or left of his own accord.

An internal investigation into the incident had concluded Stonebarger committed several violations of conduct, including using a badge inappropriately, being rude to the public and overstepping his authority as a peace officer when he threatened to arrest a tow truck driver -- who was trying to haul away another agent's vehicle that occupied the space -- and the owner of the parking space -- who was lawfully trying to record the events, which were taking place in public. Stonebarger was taken off the drug task force and reassigned.